Apparatus for assembling buckles and tape



Dec. 9, 1941.

J. sHAuLsoN ,265,782

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING BUGKLES AND TAPE Filed July 18, 1938 l 4 Sheets-Sheet l lNVhIjbiTOR J7 M ATTORNEY Dec. 9, 1941'. J. SHAULSON APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING BUGKLES AND TAPE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 18, 1938 9.0 Mam. B %MM Z* ATTORNEY Dec. 9, 1941. .1. SHA ULSON .APPARATUS FOR ASSEM BLING BUCKLES AND TAPE Filed July 18, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 3 9. Z a 5 e a a 5 2 INVENTOR 1 ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 9, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING BUCKLES AND TAPE Joseph Shaulson, Providence, R. I. Application July 18, 1938, Serial No. 219,934

16 Claims. (Cl. 223-49) My present invention relates to the machine art with particular reference to a novel machine for feeding, threading, and fastening, buckles to ribbons, and particularly to tape.

The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for fastening buckles and links to tape without sewing, for rendering said tape or strap adjustable.

Another object of my invention is to provide an apparatus that will eliminate the necessity for threading tape or ribbon through an adjusting link and buckle by hand.

A further object of my invention is to provide an apparatus for handling buckles of the type disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 195,283, filed March 11, 1938, entitled Lingerie buckle.

Another object of my invention is to provide an apparatus for performing the aforementioned functions that is simple in construction, and is quickly and economically manufactured and assembled.

With the above and other objects and ad vantageous features in view, my invention consists of a novel arrangement of parts more fully disclosed in the detailed description following, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and more specifically defined in the claims appended thereto.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of an apparatus embodying my present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a buckle blank for assembly in my machine, the prongs being opened;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the buckle andtape assembly;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a link for as sembly with the tape in my machine;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Figs. 6, 7, and 8 are enlarged perspective views of other types of buckles which may be assembled to tape by my novel machine;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along line Ill-ID of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along line ll-ll of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the lower end of the buckle magazine;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken along line |3l3 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the spring actuated jaw;

Fig. 15 is a plan view of the base for the jaw shown in Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 isa sectional view taken along line I6l6 of Fig. 9; and

Figs. 17 to 21 inclusive are diagrammatic views showing the steps of assembly of the link and buckle to the tape.

Referring more in detail to the drawings illustrating my invention, the numeral 25 generally designates a buckle blank suitable for assembly in my novel machine. The buckle blank 25 is preferably of conventional form with ends and side bars, and with a transverse center bar intermediate the end bars, except that the central bar- 26 is formed of two interlocking prongs, 26a and 26b, respectively tapering to a sharp point '21 and a V-shaped cut-out portion 21a with which the point interlocks upon completion of the assembly (Fig. 3).

In assembling an adjustable lingerie strap, a length of ribbon is threaded through a link, such as 28 (Fig. 4), and doubled back to form a loop. Another length of ribbon is then threaded through and looped in the opposite direction and adjustably attached to the buckle 25, as shown in Fig. 3. One end 29 of the ribbon is fastened to the central bar 26 of the buckle (usually by sewing) and the other end 30 is slidably threaded through the buckle.

When performed by hand, the above described method is extremely slow and appreciably adds to the cost of the finished article. This is especially true because of the tiny size of the buckles and the links used and the narrowness of the tape.

The novel apparatus of the present invention is designed to perform the above manual opera tions mechanically, quickly and easily at minimum costs This is accomplished by providing a buckle magazine from which the buckles are fed in sequence unidirectly to a working zone the buckles being successively propelled along a guideway until the working position is reached; the center bars are then separated, preferably by applying an opening force in a direction perpendicular to the buckle movement; after the tape has been inserted in the opened buckle the center bars are returned to the closed, locking position, preferably by applying a closing force in a direction opposite to the opening force.

The machine 3| is set on a base 32, preferably of cast steel, which is of substantial height and comprises a top face 34 and an integral vertical side wall 33 extending around the periphery thereof, (Fig. 10). When the base is set on a plane surface, such as a work table, the top portion 34 is spaced therefrom by the side wall 33 to provide a cavity or space 35. The two sides and the rear of the base 32 have integral laterally extending tabs 36 with openings 31 for bolting the machine to the work table, (see Fig. 9).

Referring to Fig. 9, the lower or front left corner of the base 32 is recessed as at 38, in an irregular line comprising a portion 39 extending rearwardly from the front wall to the right of the center, a substantially long portion 40 parallel to the front edge, a second rearwardly extending portion 4|, and a comparatively short portion 42 parallel to the front and terminating at the left side edge of the base.

Mounted on the base 32, to the right of the center, is an elongated rectangular plate 43 hav ing a comparatively thick rear portion 44 ending in an abrupt shoulder 45 and a forwardly extending thin portion 46. The thin portion 46 is split along the center thereof to form a central passageway 41 and two parallel portions 48 and 49. The plate 43 is bolted to the base 32 at the portion 44 by spaced screws Mounted on the plate 43 against the shoulder 45 is a rectangular steel block 52 held in place by screws 53 extending into the base 32 through plate 43.

The block 52 (Figs. 9 and is provided with a rectangular vertical recess 54 extending through the central front portion of the block 52 and open at the front. The right wall of said recess is split, as at 55, and a thumb screw 56 is threadedly mounted horizontally through the block so that its end will bear against the inner section of the recess 54.

The bottom of the plate 43 is provided with a rectangular slot 51 extending through the thick portions 44 and forming a continuation of the passageway 41. The slot 5! is of greater height from the base than the thickness of the thin portions of the plate.

Mounted on the forward end of the portion 48 of the plate 43 is a jaw 58 of the same thickness, size and shape as the front end of the portion 48. The jaw 58 is bolted to the base 32 through the plate 43 by screws 59. The right edge of the jaw 58 (Fig. 9) is provided with a slot 60 (see Fig. 1) of a thickness to allow free sliding of the conventional buckle 25, and the forward portion of the right edge is bevelled, as at H. a

The forward end of the portion (see Fig. of the plate 43 is provided with a rectangular cut out 62, near the forward end thereof, housing a coil spring 63. A jaw 64 shown reversed in Fig. 14, is mounted thereon of the same thickness, size and shape as the portion 49. The jaw 64 is pivotally mounted on the base 32 by a screw 65 extending through the upper left corner thereof through the plate 43. The jaw 64 is provided with a downwardly extending pin 66 extending into the left portion of the cut-out 62 when the jaw is in place, the coil spring 63 being tensioned to push the pin 66 and jaw 64 to the left toward the jaw 58 (see Fig. 15). The left edge of the jaw 64 is slotted, as at 61, in the identical manner as the slot 60 in the jaw 58, and bevelled in a similar manner, as at 68. The slots 60 and 61 are of such depth, that, together with the passageway 41 between the jaws, they will be slightly wider than the buckle 25.

A buckle magazine 69 is mounted in the recess 54 in the block 52, and is clamped therein by the Fig. 16, the slot II becomes a continuation of slots 60 and 61 in the jaws 58 and 64. The buckles 25 are loaded into the magazine 69 with the central bars 26 parallel to the side edges of the base, and a weighted rod 13 is placed over said buckles to insure a gravity feed. The rod 13 may be graduated, as at I4, to provide a visible means for checking the number of buckles in the magazine.

Slidable in the slot 51 is a rectangular push rod I5 provided with a cross-bar I6 adjacent the rear end thereof, (Fig. 9). Pivotally mounted at each end of the bar I6, parallel to the rod I5, are a pair of internally threaded sleeves 'I'I whose purpose will be more fully hereinafter described.

Mounted on the base 32 (Fig. 9), to the left of the center line and parallel to the above described assembly, is a second assembly of similar structure. It comprises plate I8 having a thick portion I9 and a split thin portion extending forwardly to the edge of the horizontal portion 40 of the cut out 38 in the base. A magazine block 8| is mounted thereon similar in all respects to the block 52 except that the magazine cut out 82 is slightly narrower to accommodate the magazine 83 for holding the link 28. The fixed jaw 84 and pivoted jaw 85 overhang the cutout 38 in the base. This assembly is similarly provided with a rectangular push rod 86 slidable in the slot 81. The rear portion of the rod 86, some distance from the end, is provided with a cross bar 88 and pivoted sleeves 89 similarly to the bar I6 and sleeves 'II.

Mounted on the base 32, at the rear central portion thereof (Figs. 1, 5 and 9) is a socket 90 communicating with a bore 9| extending through the base. A cylinder 92 is mounted in the socket 90 and is held therein by set screw 93. Clamped to the middle portion of the cylinder 92 is a collar 94 having an integral forwardly extending bar 95 terminating in a collar 96 having a vertical bore 91.

Vertically slidable in the cylinder 92 is a piston or rod 98 having a connecting rod 99 threadedly engaged with the bottom end thereof. The rod 99 extends through the base 9| and is connected to a suitable operating means (not shown) such as a foot pedal, motor, or the like. A heavy coll soring I00 surrounds the rod 99, one end resting on the base 32 and the other abutting the bottom end of the piston 98.

A collar MI is bolted to the top of the piston 98 by a bolt I02 threadedly engaging the top of t e piston. Integrally formed with the collar IM and extending forwardly therefrom is a bar I03 terminating in a collar I04 having a vertical bore I05 therethrough in alignment with the bore 91 in the collar 96. A vertical rod I06 is anchored in the bore I05 by means of a bolt I01 and extends downwardly through the bore 91. Bolted to the bottom. of the rod I06 as by a bolt I08, is a socket I09 having oppositely disposed integrally formed laterally extending angular flanges H0 and III. Pivoted to each flange are a pair of internally threaded spaced sleeves H2 and I I3. Each sleeve is in threaded engagement with a rod I I4 the other ends of the rods being threadedly engaged to the sleeves I1 and 89. The under side of the laterally extending angular flanges II and III are provided, between the spaced sleeves with sockets H5 and H6. The socket II6 has retained therein a head II1 by means of a set screw 8, the head II1 being directly above the jaws 58 and 64. Mounted in the socket II5 by means of a set screw H9 is a retaining member I holding a flat elongated blade or tongue I2I disposed in a plane parallel to the sides of the base. Bolted to the under side of the socket I09 and extending laterally or rearwardly therefrom between the jaws. The assembly to the .left, Fig. 9, is so set that the jaws will retain from is a flat bar I22 whose purpose will be more fully hereinafter described.

The base 32 is provided with a bore I23 setin front of the socket 90 and-a rod I24 is vertically slidably disposed in said bore in the vertical path of the laterally extending bar I22. The lower end of the rod I24 may be provided with a cotter pin I25 to. prevent its jumping out of the bore. On the underside of the base 32, and within the hollow portion 35 is a depending flange I26 to which is pivoted a rocker arm I21. The arm I21 is disposed in a plane withthe line I0I0' of Fig. 9 and comprises a long arm portion I28 extending beneath the rod I24, and a shorter arm portion I29 extending beneath a bore-I30 through the base. The bore I30 communicates with the passageway 41 between the jaws at a point 1% buckle lehgths removed from the forward tip of the jaws. Slidable in the bore I30 is a short rod I3I having a wedge shaped head I32 and a flange I33 at its lower end. A coil spring I34 surrounds the rod I3I, one end abutting the flange I33 and the other end abutting the underside of the base.

Mounted on the base 32, at the left side thereof (Fig. 9) is a flat bar I35 pivotally mounted at the top of the base as at I 46. The bar I35 extends over the edge of the portion 42 in the base and is bent downwardly as at I41 and again horizontally as at I48. Mounted on the portion I48 is a socket I49 in which is held an upturned needle I50 by means of a set screw I'5I. The bar I35 is pivotally-urged to the left by means of a spring I52 coiled around the pivot I46 and having one end thereof abutting the bar I35 and the other end abutting the plate 18 of the assembly to the left of the base.

This completes the description of the construction and assembly of the machine of the present e invention. Its operation is as follows:

With all the elements assembled as hereinabove described and the magazine loaded with the buckle 25 and the link 28, the rod 99 is pulled downwardly by any suitable means such as a foot pedal, motor, or the like. This will cause the piston 98 to slide downwardly within the cylinder 92 against the action of the coil spring I00. This will cause the bar I03, collar I04, rod I06 to descend. In moving downwardly the rods II4 willpush the rod 15 and the rod 86 back in their respective slots until, as in Fig. 16, the forward end of the rod frees the underside of the drop into the slot in the lower end of each magazine. As the bar 99 is released, the spring I00 three links before the first link is pushed completely out of the machine. The assembly on the right is so set that the rod 15 will extend sufliciently forward to permit only two links to be retained between the jaws. The spring action of the right hand jaws will tend to keep the buckles and links in the position pushed into by the rod without sliding out of place or popping out of the'machine. The lowered rear wall 12 of themagazine will prevent the buckles from being pulled rearwardly out of the magazine 'on the back stroke of the rod 86. I

While this operation is going on, the blade I2'I on its downward stroke slides into the first link, and the head I I1 hammersupon the first buckle while the bar I22 pushes downwardly on the rod I24 and causes the rocker arm I'21 to push the wedge shaped head I32 into the central bar 26 of tlie second buckle causing the bar portions to spread and lift upwardly, as shown in Fig. 2, thus opening the buckle.

'Referring to Figs. 1'? to 21 inclusive, a ribbon or shoulder strap is assembled in the following manner. Two strips of ribbon I55 and I 56 are placed one above the other along the front of the machine with the right hand ends extending over the first link held between the 'jaws. The mechanism is lowered sufficiently so that the tongue I2I pushes the ends of the ribbon or tape through the link as shown in Fig. 18. This'is insuflicient to draw the rods- 15 and 86 back far enough to engage anotherbuckle and link.

The mechanism is'raised and the lower ribbon I56 is looped to the left and both strands thereof pressed over the point of the needle I so that the tension of the spring I52 will keep it in place in extended position. The lower strand Ia of the upper-ribbon I55 is then stretched between the upturned prongs of the buckle 25 and the upper strand I55b is slipped over the pointed prongsafter having first been reentrantly bent as in Fig. 20. The mechanism is now again sharply and completely lowered, the head 1- causing the prongs of the central bar 26 of the buckle to flatten out and interlock, thus closing the buckle and completing the assembly as-shown in Fig. 3. In this position the rods 15 and 86 have now engaged successive buckles and'links and the second buckle has "had the central bar split by the rod I3 I, so that when the mechanism is released vertically the finished assembly will be pushed out of the machine and remain susbuckle will have been pushed into operative pomagazine and permits a buckle and alink to 5 s'ition in the working zone. In addition to Fig. 2 any other buckle having a split center bar may be used such as I51, I58 0 and I59 as shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8. Where buckles of the type shown in Figs. 7 and 8 are used there is no sharp point or prong with'which to pierce the tape. However, when the head flattens the central bar of this type of buckle," it will automatically pinch the ribbon or strap in interlocking position and thus effectively grip 1 This completes the description of the constructon, assembly and operation of the machine of I the present invention. It can readily be seen from the above that the machine is easy and economical to manufacture and assemble and is admirably adapted to perform its intended functions.

While I have described a specific embodiment of my invention, it is obvious that changes in the size, shape and position of the various parts may be made therein within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.-

I claim:

1. In an apparatus of the type described, a base, means thereon for intermittently feeding buckles to a predetermined position, said buckles having separable center bar portions, means cooperating with said first named means for spreading the center bar portions of said buckles whereby a tape may be positioned in the spread buckle, and means for moving said portions to their center bar position and simultaneously locking said tape thereto.

2. In an apparatus of the type described, a base, means thereon for intermittently feeding a buckle and a link to respective predetermined positions in timed relation, said buckle having separable center bar portions, means cooperating with said feeding means for spreading the center bar portions of said buckle whereby one portion of a tape may be positioned in the spread buckle and the other portion over said link, and means for moving said center bar portions to their center bar positions to lock said tape thereto while simultaneously threading said tape through said link.

3. In an apparatus of the type described, a base, a buckle magazine on said base, said buckle magazine comprising a rectangular tube, means including a reciprocatable rod for intermittently feeding buckles from the lower end of said magazine to a predetermined position, said means cooperating with said feeding means for spreading the center bar portions of said buckles whereby a tape may be positioned in the spread buckle, and means operative in timed sequence to said spreading means for moving said portions to their center bar position and simultaneously locking said tape thereto.

4. In an apparatus of the type described, a base, a pair of spring-pressed retaining jaws on said base, means for intermittently feeding buckles to a predetermined intermediate posi-' tion and from said intermediate position to between said retaining jaws, said buckles having separable center bar portions, means cooperating with said feeding means for spreading the center bar portions of said buckles when said buckles are in the intermediate position on said base, and means i 01' moving said portions to their center bar position when said buckles are between said retaining jaws.

5 In an apparatus of the type described, a base, a buckle magazine on said base, said buckle magazine comprising a rectangular tube having the lower edge of one wall extending below the bottom of the tube, a pair of springbuckles having separable center bar portions,

feeding means is in non-feeding position, and.

means operative in timed sequence to said spreading means for moving said portions to their center bar positions.

'7. In an apparatus of the type described, a base, means thereon for intermittently feeding a buckle and a linkto respective predetermined positions in timed relation, said buckle having separable center bar portions, means co'operat- I ing with said feeding means for spreading the center bar portions of said buckle whereby one portion of a tape may be positioned in the spread buckle and the other portion over said link, said spreading means being operative'only when said feeding means is in non-feeding position, and means for moving said center bar portions to their center bar positions to lock said tape thereto while simultaneously threading said tape through said link.

8. In a machine of the class described, a magazine for holding a plurality of buckles, means actuable to move buckles in sequence from said magazine to a working position, means for releasably holding each buckle so moved in said working position, means actuable to open va buckle held by said last mentioned meansin said working position, and means actuable to reclose said buckles. f v

9. In a machine of the class described, a mag,-

azine for holding a plurality of buckles, means actuable to move buckles in sequence from said magazine to a working position, means-actuable to open a buckle located in said working position by bending'the central bar portion thereof, and means actuable to reclose said buckle by restoring said central bar portion to theclosed position.

10.111 a machine of the class described. a

magazine for holding a plurality of buckles, a

guideway, means actuable to move buckles insequence from said magazine to a working position along said guideway, means actuable to open pressed retaining jaws on said base, means intaining Jaws.

a buckle locatedv in said working position by bending the central bar portion thereof away from the other portions of said buckle, and means actuable to reclose said buckle by restoring said central position.

11. In a machine of the class described, a magazine for holding a plurality of buckles, a guideway, means actuable to move buckles in sequence from said magazine to a working position along said guideway, resilient means for releasably holding each buckle moved to said working position, means actuable to open a buckle located in said working position by bend-- ing the central bar portion thereof, and means actuable to reclose said buckle.

12. In a machine of the class described, a magazine for holding a plurality of buckles, a guideway, means actuable to move buckles in sequence from said magazine to a working position along said guideway, said guideway beingjdeflned by opposed slots formed in two spacedmembers and at least one of said members being resiliently biased toward the other for releasably holding said buckle moved to said working position, means actuable to open a buckle located bar portion to the clmd insaid working position by bending the central bar portion thereof away'from the other por.

tioiis of said buckle, and means actuable to re- -close said buckle by restoring said central bar portion to the closed position.

13. The method of applying to a length of tape a buckle having end bars, side bars integrally connectingv said end bars, and a tra sverse center bar intermediate said end bars,-

which center bar is capable of being separated guideway, a reciprocable member normally 10- into two spaced portions so as to admit the tape,

I the said two portions normally being arranged with their ends contiguous so as to close said space, which consists in feeding such a-buckle unidirectionally through a working zone, then, while the buckle is .in said'working zone, separating said center bar portions by force 'applied perpendicular to the direction of buckle movement, inserting the tape through the said space 'so formed, and then returning said center bar portions to their normal unspaced relation by force applied in the opposite direction.

14. Amachine for operating upon buckles of the class described, which includes a guideway, a means for propelling a buckle along said guideway, a reciprocable member normally located on one side of said guideway for spreading apart cated on one side of said guideway for spreading apart the separable parts of the center bar of the buckle, a reciprocable member on the other side of said guideway for restoring said center 'bar portions to their normal closed position, and a single actuator for operating both of said reciprocable members.

16. A machine for operating upon buckles of the class described, which includes a guideway, a reciprocable feed member for propelling buckles successively along said guideway, a plunger normally located on one side of said guideway for spreading apart the separable parts of the center bar of the buckle, a plunger on the other side of said guideway for restoring said center bar portions to their normal closed position, and a single actuator for operating both of said plungers.

' JOSEPH SHAU'LSON. 

